A woman who has run the Music Club charity for 13 years has created a safe place for families with disabled children and young adults to enjoy music together once a month.
A parent credits Julie Hinton with providing a calming influence for her son, who watched a recording of a music session when coming out of a two-and-a-half-week coma because it brought him peace and safety.
Julie and the club have been nominated for Charity of the Year sponsored by Roc Search.
Her nominator added: “There are so few things to access for those with very complex needs. This is a lifeline to many families such as ours as the children all share a passion for rhythm and the parents can all share support together. These parents face huge challenges which are indescribable to those with healthy children.”
They said, at the start of lockdown, Julie set up three online music sessions a week which have been running ever since.
“My son watches every one and even has some recorded which he watches over and over again. He even watched one while coming out (after two-and-a-half weeks asleep) of a coma, because this music is the most important part of his world and the most calming influence so I knew it would bring him peace and safety.
“I’m so grateful for all Julie does for our families,” they added.
“I would love to see Julie receive a Pride of Reading Award because she is an incredible support to so many Reading families and has been for years.
“She’s a special lady who, despite having her own 27-year-old daughter with very complex needs, is always working hard to support others like her own.
